The days are getting longer, the sun's getting warmer, and it's no wonder our thoughts are turning to holidays after the winter months. And where better to enjoy a little continental lifestyle than in France? Read on...

1. Destination of the Month - Tropea, Italy
2. Evening Language Courses in London
3. Farewell to one of our Most Famous Linguists - Peter Ustinov
4. Prices Reduced - Dollar & Euro Destinations
5. Cactus New Recruits
6. What Our Clients Say - Feedback from Havana, Siena & Seville
7. Cactus Junior Summer Programmes
8. Cactus Teachers News
9. Newsletter Feedback / Unsubscribe
   

They say it rains a lot here, but there must be something that brings thousands of holidaymakers to Brittany year after year. Take for instance its mild climate and attractive coastline linking miles of white, sandy beaches with rugged inlets and clifftops. Brest, sheltered from the Atlantic by a wide natural harbour known as the Rade, has made the most of its location by becoming one of France's most important naval ports. Walk the streets of Brest and you're more likely to see a smart French sailor's uniform than remnants of the city's medieval past, sadly destroyed during the bombing of WWII…but what you will find are a number of lively bars and cafés, as well as plenty of restaurants serving great seafood and the delicious local speciality, scallops.

Perfect spring destination...beautiful school housed in a 19th manor house right in the heart of Brest bay...first class language tuition...and easy to get to!

2 week General Course = ONLY 389 pounds
* Accommodation available in a host family, private apartment or student residence.

More Info: Please email Laura, or book online and receive a 10 pound discount.

Courses start soon - and prices are CHEAPER than booking direct with the school!

Languages available: German, French, Italian, Spanish & Japanese
Location: opposite Green Park, 3 mins walk from Green Park or Hyde Park Corner tube
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Small Group Size: max 12 students
Teachers: fully qualified, native speakers

Complete Beginners: Survival Course (1 or 2 evenings per week, 6 weeks).
Next course week starting April 19. Only 94 pounds online!

All Levels (including beginners): Longterm Course (1 evening per week, 11 weeks).
Next course week starting April 19. Only 194 pounds online!

For full info and to book online for Evening Courses in London >>

Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov (April 16, 1921 - March 28, 2004)

We'd like to pay tribute to the man who brought us Hercule Poirot and much more. Peter Ustinov was a man of many talents and languages: not only was he was a writer, actor, dramatist, Oscar winner and ambassador to UNICEF and UNESCO...he also spoke English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Modern Greek.

Prices Reduced Even More!

A little while ago we were able to reduce our prices for destinations such as the US & Latin America, due to the decreasing value of the dollar...and we're sure you'll be pleased to hear that we have also now REDUCED PRICES FOR ALL EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS. There has never been a better time to book that language holiday you've been dreaming of - and with the weather getting that little bit warmer, what more incentive could you want...

Check out our website, explore our new interactive map, or call us for info on 0845 130 4775.

* Cactus Fact: 40% of our clients are now booking online because it's so easy...plus it's cheaper! *

New Recruits - Cactus Language Training & Marketing

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to Nick Marks who will be joining our Cactus Language Training department on 19th April...and to Vicky Gabrielli from Sao Paulo who will be helping out our creative team until the end of May.

If you are interested in jobs at Cactus please click here >>

If you are interested in multi-lingual vacancies in the Glasgow area click here >>

Paul Henderson: Havana Vedado, Feb 04

"Thank you for your email asking for feedback. Rarely do I get a chance to give feedback that is 100% positive but in this case there is nothing negative for me to say.

My trip was very successful, and very well organised. Before I left I was happy with the service I received from Cactus Language - Sarah answered all my questions quickly, succintly and accurately, gave me a lot of good advice and dealt with my arrangements in a professional and friendly manner.

The school was well organised and made good efforts to bring the students together. As a result the group got on really well - I am still in touch with several people I met and will be meeting up with a few in Switzerland in May. I liked the classroom structure, small and involved. My teacher was very professional and very friendly...I learned a lot and was very happy with my Spanish by the end of the trip.

My family was wonderful. They really looked after me, even when things were not too good for them - a close relative of theirs was very ill but still they made time to ensure I was being looked after. They really were a lovely family. And of course Havana is a great place to visit. I thouroughly enjoyed exploring the city, going out to the beaches now and again and getting into the nightlife. It is such an interesting and enjoyable place, on many levels. I will definitely go back.

All in all I had a great time. I will no doubt do another language course in the future and I will definitely look to see what you can arrange for me - there's the whole of Latin America still to be explored :)

So, I give a glowing report, and no doubt you are seeking some constructive criticism - it seems strange, but I find myself apologising for not having any. Many thanks, Paul"

To find out more about Paul's Spanish Course in Havana >>

Val Howden - Siena & Seville, Feb-March 04 Siena (February) I had a wonderful time and am not sure where to start! My hotel was very comfortable and the walk everyday to the school was lovely, across Piazza del Campo, Siena's main square. The school building itself was fantastic (they were busy renovating it whilst I was there) and the views out across the valley were amazing. The teaching staff were very friendly and informal. I had 6 people in my class: a couple from South Korea, and students from Japan, Mexico, Switzerland and Austria. As the school was so small it was easy to get to know everyone quickly. As we were all beginners and our only common language was Italian, it was a real laugh in the lessons. There was also a real mixture of ages. The teacher Enzo was excellent, and was very patient with us all. The trips organised by the school were excellent: we had 2 wine tasting sessions and then visited a wine estate where we had a talk from the estate manager, saw the wine cellars and even got to try Binello wine! In my cookery lessons there were 4 of us, and together we cooked 4-course traditional Tuscan meals and then all sat down to eat the food and drink wine. Siena itself was beautiful - everything is within walking distance, and there is stunning architecture, museums and churches. It was also a very safe city with great bars and discos. I would thouroughly recommend it to anyone.

Seville (March) Seville was amazing! It's much bigger than Siena, and it was great just getting lost in the maze of narrow streets. My apartment was right in Santa Cruz, and the weather was wonderful - 30 degrees in March! There was also a lovely orange bossom scent around the city. You could walk everywhere and I loved the fact that people would sit down at 10-11 o'clock at night to eat dinner. The school was much bigger than Siena but I remained in a small class of 6, with students from Austria, Holland, Denmark and Japan. The teaching was of a very high standard and the free Internet access at the school was really useful. They also had a great library with loads of resources. Nothing at the school seemed too much trouble - they were very flexible. There were trips organised everyday in the afternoons and evenings. The Flamenco dancing was a brilliant night out. Córdoba was a fantastic trip out and I also visited various monuments in and around Seville. Again, I took cookery lessons, and there were only 2 of us in the class and we made really interesting Andalucian dishes.

To find out more about Val's Italian & Cooking Course in Siena >> Spanish Course in Seville >>

Cactus Juniors Summer Programmes in Europe It's already April and those of you with families will know how far ahead you need to plan holidays. Our Junior Language Programmes could be exactly what you need if you have children of 6-18 years looking for a few fun-filled weeks in France, Spain, Germany, Italy or the UK. Running throughout July and August, our junior programmes are fully supervised and combine language classes with a whole range of fun sporting, social and cultural activities. Could this fill the gap? Please email Laura for a quote or if you'd simply like more details.